[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E553-E554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 138TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA EMANCIPATION 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 12, 2000

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague, 
Representative Don Manzullo, for joining me in our annual observance of 
Emancipation Day, and for his

[[Page E554]]

generous and continued attention to the District of Columbia.
  One hundred thirty-eight years ago, President Lincoln ended slavery 
in the District, nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation was 
signed. In 1862, the existence of slavery and denial of human rights in 
the Nation's Capital was a contradiction in terms. Today, we use this 
occasion to draw attention to a continuing contradiction. District of 
Columbia citizens are still denied basic rights in the Capital of the 
free world. The District is the only jurisdiction in America whose 
citizens pay taxes, but are denied full representation in Congress. 
D.C. residents are the only Americans whose laws can be overturned by 
Congress, in violation of American principles of local self-government.
  I am pleased to note that this year the D.C. Council has passed a 
bill designating April 16th as District of Columbia Emancipation Day. 
How much more would District residents rejoice if they had the full 
representation and freedom enjoyed by other Americans. How much more 
joyously would they celebrate if the right to vote in this House and in 
the Senate were their basic right.
  Because of a historic court case, we believe this right is within our 
reach. Two lawsuits on their way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Adams v. 
Clinton and Alexander v. Daley, have been consolidated to challenge the 
denial of basic democratic rights. We are indebted to the attorneys, 
John Ferren, former D.C. Corporation Counsel; Charles Miller and Thomas 
Williamson, of Covington & Burling; Jamin Raskin, Professor of Law, 
American University; and George LaRoche, who handled this case before a 
three-judge court. And we are indebted to the 75 citizens who are the 
plaintiffs in these suits and who, therefore, represent all the 
citizens of the District of Columbia.
  Judge Oberdorfer, the distinguished, dissenting jurist in the case, 
wrote, ``Under established constitutional principles, neither the . . . 
people of the District nor their posterity forfeited [their] 
constitutional right when the District became the seat of government.'' 
In the District, we have a history of recognizing April 16th as a day 
of celebration. We do so this year with special determination to gain 
and enjoy all the benefits that American citizenship provides--full 
representation in Congress.
  I salute D.C. Reading is Fundamental for its continued efforts to 
promote Emancipation Day in the District. Its work inspires our 
children to read, to learn the history of this city, and to insist, as 
Americans, upon their full rights.

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